AMERICAN YACHT CLUB

Optimist Invitational Regatta
Milton Point, Rye, New York
July 10, 2004

NOTICE OF RACE

1. Rules

The regatta will be governed by the 2001-2004 Racing Rules of Sailing, the 2004 Rules for JSA Events, the rules of the U.S. Optimist Dinghy Association, except as any of these are changed by this Notice of Race or the Sailing Instructions.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Open to Optimist sailors representing clubs in JSA Area B only.

2.2 All competitors must comply with the eligibility rules of the JSA of LIS.

2.3 All participants shall be certified as competent for this event by either the Head Instructor or the Program Head of the Junior Sailing Program at their member program. Competency is defined by the JSA as follows: each entrant is able to sail his/her Optimist to windward and to leeward in a variety of wind conditions, is able to right the boat after a capsize, and has previously sailed a race course.

2.4 While not required, competitors are encouraged to be members of the USODA. 2.5 The organizing authority or the race committee may reject an entry of any boat in compliance with Rule 76.1.

3. Entry Requirements

3.1 A completed entry form with entry fee of $25 per sailor.

3.2 A completed JSA Standard Waiver and Medical Release Form for each competitor. 3.3 The entry fee and all forms must be received at the American Yacht Club front desk no later than 1800 on July 9, 2004. Entry forms may be sent to the club’s fax at (914) 967-5340. Checks should be made payable to American Yacht Club.

3.4 Late entries may be accepted at the sole discretion of the regatta chairperson until 1000 on July 10. The entry fee for late entries is $40 per sailor.

4. Registration and Sailing Instructions

4.1 Each participant must appear in person at the registration table during the registration period. Sailing Instructions will be available before or during this time.

4.2 Competitors will be assigned to fleets according to their age on the day of the regatta as follows:

White Fleet (white streamer) 10 and under

Blue Fleet (blue streamer) 11 and 12

Red Fleet (red streamer) 13, 14, and 15

These fleets may race separately or together. The Race Committee will supply colored streamers to be displayed by each boat.

4.3 There will not be a Green Fleet.

5. JSA Qualifying

This event is a qualifying event in Area B for the JSA Optimist Championship.

6. Changes to the Racing Rules

6.1 A boat that takes a 720° Turns Penalty shall inform the Race Committee of this at the finishing line. This adds to rule 44.2.

6.2 Upon finishing each race, a boat intending to protest shall as soon as possible, without consultation with instructors or spectators, notify the Race Committee of her intent to protest and, if possible, the sail number of the protested boat. This adds or changes rule 61.

6.3 The JSA Arbitration Procedure (Appendix C of the 2004 Rules for JSA Events) shall be used for hearing protests. This changes Rule 63.

7. Schedule

7.1 The Race Committee will run as many races as is reasonably possible. At least one race must be completed to constitute a series.

7.2 The schedule of events is as follows:

0930-1100 Registration (AYC Front Porch)

1100 Skippers Meeting (In the vicinity of the AYC South Terrace)

1200 Harbor Start

1230 First warning signal

No warning signal will be made after 1630.

The awards ceremony will be held on the club lawn as soon as possible after racing.

8. Equipment and Safety Requirements

Each boat must comply with the USODA rules and the 2004 JSA Optimist Inspection Checklist (Appendix A of the 2004 Rules for JSA Events). A safety inspection of some or all boats may be carried out at any time during the event.

9. Racing Area

The racing area will be in the vicinity of 40A SE of AYC.

10. Scoring

The Low Point Scoring System, Appendix A of The Racing Rules of Sailing, will apply except that a boat’s series score shall be the sum of her scores for all races.

11. Sail Numbers

Sail numbers must be complete and clearly visible from both sides of the sail. Entries of boats not complying with this instruction may be rejected in compliance with Rule 76.1. If racing has already started, boats not complying with this instruction will be subject to protest by the Race Committee only.

12. Support Craft

Any club entering three or more boats shall supply a support craft equipped with a VHF radio, an anchor, and a first aid kit. An instructor or adult shall drive the support craft and shall check with the regatta organizers before the harbor start about safety patrol assignments and responsibilities. Spectator and coach boats shall stay well clear of the course area while boats are racing.

13. Foods and Drink

Each sailor is responsible for his/her own lunch and refreshments.

14. Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in the Red, Blue and White Fleets. A sportsmanship trophy may be awarded for one or more fleets at the discretion of the Race Committee.

15. Responsibility for Safety

As a condition of participation of any boat in any race or related activity sponsored or undertaken by the American Yacht Club: the owner and the helmsman of each boat agree that the safety of the boat and the helmsman and the decision whether or not to start or continue to race is solely his/her responsibility, and each waives all claims which he or she or any heir, representative, successor or assignee, may have against the American Yacht Club and the JSA, and their officers, trustees, members, committees, employees or agents, arising out of or in any way connected with participation in such race or activity. Responsibility for evaluating wind, sea and weather conditions rests with each participant as does the responsibility for the safe condition of the boat including safety equipment and rigging and for wearing a life jacket. Assistance from the Race Committee, patrol boats, or other support boats and from personnel manning them is at the risk of the participant.

16. Web Site The Notice of Regatta, Sailing Instructions, results and other information are available on the AYC web site at www.americanyc.com.

Regatta Chairperson: Peter Hein

Principal Race Officer: Richard Hulit (914) 967-7753